A constitutional measure all Floridians should back

Published: Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 5:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, January 14, 2013 at 5:25 p.m.

State Sen. Jeff Clemens, a Democrat from Lake Worth, wants the state constitution to limit legislators to putting no more than three constitutional amendments on the ballot in any one election. His proposed constitutional amendment deserves speedy approval by the Legislature, although it could be improved by adding stronger restrictions on lawmakers' ability to load up ballots with wordy, confusing questions that as often as not have no business being put to a public vote.

In 2012, the Legislature presented voters with 11 constitutional amendment questions accompanied by summaries totaling more than 2,000 words. One amendment — just the amendment — topped out at 664 words.

The overstuffed ballot undoubtedly contributed to long lines at some polling places. Voters were choosing a president, members of Congress and state and local officeholders. In some cases, they were voting on local issues too.

Whether by design or inscrutable bureaucratic writing, a couple of those constitutional amendments were virtually indecipherable. Voters wisely said "no" to most of these attempts by the Legislature to foist its lawmaking responsibility off on the public.

The constitution should serve as the blueprint for state government and not as an ever-changing policy document. Since 1976, more than 60 amendments have been added to the Florida Constitution. By comparison, the U.S. Constitution, which has stood the test of more than 200 years of turbulent history, has been amended only 27 times.

Some major issues have landed on the ballot through grass-roots initiatives, but the Legislature is a far more prolific author of proposed amendments than the state's citizens. This suggests that lawmakers are punting on tough issues — including their No. 1 duty, crafting a budget for the state. Last year the Legislature sought to impose a cap on state revenue by constitutional means, but the voters — perhaps feeling lawmakers are elected to make budget decisions themselves — soundly rejected the proposed amendment.

Ill-considered constitutional amendments can have unintended consequences, such as the financial hit some school districts, including Volusia and Flagler, currently are facing as a result of a school class-size amendment approved by voters in 2002. The amendment requires the state to fine school districts that don't meet the rigid class-size limits.

Considering all the trouble caused by proliferating amendment questions, Sen. Clemens and his allies should expand their proposal to include a requirement that the Legislature not exceed 75 words in ballot summaries for constitutional questions. Citizens are required to keep proposed amendments and summaries short and sweet. Lawmakers should abide by the same rule.

Also, amendments ought to be limited to a single subject. The Legislature likes to turn one proposed amendment into a three-or-four-part question.

A little legislative self-disciple could go a long way toward curbing the use of election ballots as lawmaking tools.

Senate President Dan Gaetz told the News Service of Florida he wants to prevent legislators from turning various "causes" into proposed amendments. We wish him well in that endeavor.

Voting would be faster and easier, and the constitution clearer and less cluttered, if the Legislature refrained from putting amendments on the ballot except when genuine constitutional issues arise.

<p>Finally &mdash; a proposed constitutional amendment all Florida voters can support. </p><p>State Sen. Jeff Clemens, a Democrat from Lake Worth, wants the state constitution to limit legislators to putting no more than three constitutional amendments on the ballot in any one election. His proposed constitutional amendment deserves speedy approval by the Legislature, although it could be improved by adding stronger restrictions on lawmakers' ability to load up ballots with wordy, confusing questions that as often as not have no business being put to a public vote. </p><p>In 2012, the Legislature presented voters with 11 constitutional amendment questions accompanied by summaries totaling more than 2,000 words. One amendment &mdash; just the amendment &mdash; topped out at 664 words. </p><p>The overstuffed ballot undoubtedly contributed to long lines at some polling places. Voters were choosing a president, members of Congress and state and local officeholders. In some cases, they were voting on local issues too. </p><p>Whether by design or inscrutable bureaucratic writing, a couple of those constitutional amendments were virtually indecipherable. Voters wisely said "no" to most of these attempts by the Legislature to foist its lawmaking responsibility off on the public. </p><p>The constitution should serve as the blueprint for state government and not as an ever-changing policy document. Since 1976, more than 60 amendments have been added to the Florida Constitution. By comparison, the U.S. Constitution, which has stood the test of more than 200 years of turbulent history, has been amended only 27 times. </p><p>Some major issues have landed on the ballot through grass-roots initiatives, but the Legislature is a far more prolific author of proposed amendments than the state's citizens. This suggests that lawmakers are punting on tough issues &mdash; including their No. 1 duty, crafting a budget for the state. Last year the Legislature sought to impose a cap on state revenue by constitutional means, but the voters &mdash; perhaps feeling lawmakers are elected to make budget decisions themselves &mdash; soundly rejected the proposed amendment. </p><p>Ill-considered constitutional amendments can have unintended consequences, such as the financial hit some school districts, including Volusia and Flagler, currently are facing as a result of a school class-size amendment approved by voters in 2002. The amendment requires the state to fine school districts that don't meet the rigid class-size limits. </p><p>Considering all the trouble caused by proliferating amendment questions, Sen. Clemens and his allies should expand their proposal to include a requirement that the Legislature not exceed 75 words in ballot summaries for constitutional questions. Citizens are required to keep proposed amendments and summaries short and sweet. Lawmakers should abide by the same rule. </p><p>Also, amendments ought to be limited to a single subject. The Legislature likes to turn one proposed amendment into a three-or-four-part question. </p><p>A little legislative self-disciple could go a long way toward curbing the use of election ballots as lawmaking tools. </p><p>Senate President Dan Gaetz told the News Service of Florida he wants to prevent legislators from turning various "causes" into proposed amendments. We wish him well in that endeavor. </p><p>Voting would be faster and easier, and the constitution clearer and less cluttered, if the Legislature refrained from putting amendments on the ballot except when genuine constitutional issues arise.</p>